The next day, to get as far away from Kaname as she could, Elizabeth packed some things and decided to stay with her parents during the short break they had from lessons following the events of the previous night. Elizabeth's memories of that night haunted her and she hadn't slept a wink that night.
As Elizabeth made her way to the front door of the dorm, she could still smell the stench of blood. It sickened her and on days like these, she really wished that she wasn't a vampire. Why couldn't she have stayed human? Why did she have to be dragged into a world full of bloodshed, intrigue and politics? She was no longer a human and had to abide by the rules vampires had laid down years ago. She was under their jurisdiction now and had no say in the matter.
She didn't tell anyone that she was leaving, not even her best friends Kisetsu and Takuma. She knew that she should have told Kaname as he was the dorm president but she was far too distraught with him to care about such formalities.
When she arrived at her parents' house, she pulled out her key and unlocked the door. When she opened the door, it was silent within the house. She placed her bag in the hall and closed the door behind her. She walked into the living room and sat on the sofa, switching on the television.
Feeling sorry for herself, she retrieved a bar of chocolate from the cupboard and watched an entire rerun of an anime series all afternoon. She later fell asleep, feeling quite ill from eating all the chocolate.
Later on, Elizabeth woke up to the sound of the front door slamming shut and her mother's voice, "Elizabeth, what are you doing home?"
Elizabeth sat up drowsily, "Well...the Night Class students have a few days leave."
"Ah, well, since you're home, you can help me decorate the spare room."
"Why?"
"Well, Elizabeth...you're not going to be an only child anymore..."
Elizabeth's head snapped around, "What? You mean...?" a look of disgust graced her features as she pointed to her mother's stomach. Pauline nodded.
"Elizabeth, I'm not an old woman, I am only 37 years old and you would benefit from having a brother or sister."
"No, I won't."
"You'll soon get used to the idea," Pauline said casually. Elizabeth sighed. As she was stalk away, she felt an unexpected bout of blood lust. She turned her head to look at her mother, who had accidentally inflicted a paper cut upon herself. She bit her plump lower lip. Elizabeth needed to tell her mother about what she was, but she was afraid of what her mother would say. Would she shun her from the family and make her estranged? Would she accept what she was? Would she even believe her? All these questions swirled around in her head.
"Mother?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I tell you something," she asked tentatively. Pauline turned around.
"You know that you can tell me anything," her mother said kindly. Elizabeth smiled, a relieved sigh escaping her lips.
"Mum, I'm a-"
"Pauli, I'm home!" Elizabeth's shoulders slumped. After plucking up the courage to tell her mother of what she was, she was interrupted by her father.
As Alan walked in, his eyes widened when he saw Elizabeth home, "Bess, what are you doing back?"
Elizabeth swallowed before replying, "We have been given a few days leave. I must be back on Monday."
"Ah, you have more days off than I have had hot dinners, Bess," he said resentfully. It made Elizabeth giggle. She made to walk out of the room but Pauline placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Weren't you going to tell me something, Bess?"
"Oh no," Elizabeth said with a smile that could charm anyone, "It doesn't matter, mum, I'll see you later." with that she turned on her heal and walked away. She picked up her back, ran upstairs and walked to her room, closing the door behind her.
When she opened her bag, Kuro jumped out of it, coughing and spluttering, "Riji-sama! I nearly died in there!"
"Sorry, Kuro-kun," Elizabeth said sheepishly.
"I forgive you," he said aloofly. Elizabeth sighed and removed her blazer and school boots. She sat cross legged on her bed, pulling Kuro into her arms. Elizabeth sniffed and nuzzled her fury companion. Kuro soon found his silky fur getting damp. He looked up at her and saw that she was crying.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, Kuro-kun, what am I going to do?"
"What do you mean?"
"I saw Kaname kill Shizuka Hiou!" she said in a hushed whisper. Kuro gazed up at her, shocked by her accusation.
"Riji-sama, are you sure," Kuro asked, "That's a pretty wild accusation! I thought that you were in love with him."
"I was...I mean...I am in love with him, but I saw what happened. If it had been Zero who had been killed Shizuka-sama, then I wouldn't be so upset as Shizuka had ruined his life but I am unsure of what Kaname's motives are and that scares me."
"Kaname-sama has every reason to kill Shizuka Hiou. She is a danger to our society and obviously doesn't want her to kill anyone he cares about."
"You're defending him?"
"I see no reason not to."
Elizabeth leaned against the wall. She sighed softly, gently stroking her cat's shiny, ebony fur, "There's no denying that I love him, but that horrific scene isn't going to go away easily."
"That's understandable, Riji-sama," Kuro said, placing a paw on Elizabeth's knee, "But you must keep quiet about what you've seen."
"What? Why?"
"Because, Kaname-sama is a pureblood vampire and everyone will take his word over yours. If you were indeed a pureblood then it would be a very different story."
Elizabeth's shoulders slumped. It wasn't as if she didn't want Shizuka dead, because she did. It was just that the blood soaked scene scared and haunted her. What if Kaname found out about her? Would he kill her the same way he did Shizuka? She shivered with disgust. If he found out, her new sibling would have to grow up with out an elder sister. She wasn't scared of death, but to be killed by the man she adored was what scared her the most.
Meanwhile, Kisetsu had been seething about that night. She refused to come out of her room, knowing that she would say something about it to somebody. She wasn't even aware that Elizabeth had left the academy. She felt extremely hurt for Elizabeth. Kisetsu knew that Elizabeth had been extremely hurt by Kaname's actions, knowing that Elizabeth was smitten with him. She wanted to confront him and that was what she was going to do.
Kisetsu knocked on Kaname's door. There was no answer but Kisetsu opened the door anyway. It was dark inside, the ceiling light slowly dying away. Kaname was gazing out of the window with a blank expression on his beautiful features. Kisetsu noticed his unkempt appearance. She sighed softly before speaking, "Kaname, why?"
There was a long pause before he spoke, "I did it to protect the people I care about."
"People you care about," Kisetsu asked incredulously, "I understand that she was a danger...but..."
Kisetsu trailed off. Kaname turned his head towards her, "Where's Erisabesu? I haven't heard anything from her."
Kisetsu looked back up at him, "Now that you mention it...I haven't seen or heard from her. I cannot even feel her aura..."
"Do you think she's gone home? She only lives in the town."
"But, she would have said something..." her worry for her friend was quickly overriding her anger at Kaname, "After what happened to her last week, I would have though that it show her some caution."
"Go and check...I'll come with you," Kaname said, running a hand through his mahogany hair. Kisetsu gulped. She had no desire to be in his presence but she knew that Kaname was starting to care for Elizabeth. The two kisses Elizabeth and Kaname had shared had been proof of that.
"All right..." Kisetsu said with an uneasy smile.
Later on, Kisetsu met Kaname in the foyer. Kisetsu kept her distance from Kaname as they walked through the town. Kisetsu led him towards Elizabeth's house and knocked on the door. Pauline opened the door with a surprised expression.
"Kisetsu dear, have you come to see Beth," Pauline asked. Kisetsu nodded.
"Is she here?"
"Yes, Kisetsu," Pauline replied. She turned her gaze towards Kaname, "Hello, I don't think we've met..."
"Forgive me, Watson-san, my name is Kaname Kuran."
"Pleased to meet you, Kaname. Elizabeth is just upstairs."
"Thank you," Kisetsu said with a low bow before running upstairs. Kaname followed and they approached Elizabeth's room. Kisetsu gently rapped on the door, "Riji-chan...?"
"Kisetsu, is that you?"
"Yes," Kisetsu answered, "May we come in?"
"May we? Who's with you?" came Elizabeth's confused, muffled response.
Kisetsu hesitated, "Kaname..."
Kisetsu didn't get a verbal response. She heard a slight whimper and a sob before the door opened. Her cheeks were tear stained and she was cradling Kuro in her arms. She stared at them blankly. Kisetsu noted the look in Elizabeth's eyes that said she was about to cry again. She wanted to wrap her arms around her best friend and let her cry.
Kaname couldn't look at Elizabeth. He felt a sudden surge of guilt as he had laid his eyes on her tear stained cheeks. He didn't want to cause her pain. She had been one of the reasons why he killed Shizuka Hiou. He didn't want his reincarnated lover to be touched by someone as twisted as Shizuka Hiou.
Kaname stepped forward and Elizabeth backed away. Kisetsu reached out to Elizabeth. She pulled the numb girl into a tight embrace. Kuro, who was still in Elizabeth's arms, gave a startled cry, "Oi, don't crush me guys!"
Kisetsu pulled back, "Sorry, Kuro-kun," Kisestu smiled wryly. Elizabeth turned her head towards Kaname.
"Kisetsu, would you give me a moment alone with Kaname," Elizabeth asked. Kisetsu's eyes widened and her head snapped around in surprise.
"Riji-chan, you cannot be serious!"
"Please, Kise-chan, I will call you if anything is wrong."
Kisetsu frowned, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said in a small voice. Kisetsu nodded.
"All right, Riji-chan," she turned towards Kaname, "Don't you dare harm her."
"You have my word," Kaname said solemnly. Kisetsu eyed him for a moment before walking down stairs. Kuro followed her, not wanting to be in the middle of what was going to happen. Elizabeth slowly turned around and robotically walked back inside her room. Kaname followed her inside, closing the door behind him. He turned to Elizabeth, who was gazing listlessly out of the window. She turned her head towards him.
"Kaname, why?"
"You know why," Kaname answered. Elizabeth shook her head.
"No, I want you to tell me," her voice shook with anger and her fists clenched.
"I did it to protect the people I love and care about...that includes you."
"You care about me? You have a funny way of showing it."
Kaname started to approach her. Elizabeth turned her head and narrowed her eyes at him. She snarled and suddenly pounced on him, taking him by surprise and knocking him to the ground. Elizabeth clasped her hands around Kaname's throat. She expected him to be more resistant but he just laid there, gazing up at her. Was it possible for him to have a masochistic streak?
"Why don't you resist," Elizabeth asked bitterly.
Kaname didn't answer her. He continued to gaze the girl above him. Kaname's hands found her waist and Elizabeth stiffened. She tried to tighten her small hands around his neck but she found that she didn't have it in her to do so, "You can do what ever you want to me," he finally answered. Elizabeth jumped at the sound of his voice.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"What are you saying? I'm not doing this because I want to give you a masochistic thrill. No. I'm doing this because I want to kill you."
"Yet you cannot even squeeze your hands around my neck," he gently taunted. Elizabeth gritted her teeth and desperately tried to squeeze, but again, she found nothing to drive her forward. Her hands slackened and she let them drop by her sides. Tears poured freely from her eyes. Kaname reached up and cupped her left cheek, clearing her tears away with his thumb. The hand that was on her waist trailed up her body, gently pushing her down onto him. Elizabeth, found herself pressed against him. The hand on her cheek tangled in her shaggy locks at the nape of her neck.
"Kaname, what are you-?" before she could finish her question, her lips had already been captured by Kaname in a searing kiss. She gasped and tried to push against his chest, but he was much too strong. She squealed when Kaname rolled them around and flipped positions. Now, Elizabeth was the one lying beneath Kaname. She noted the predatory look in his eyes and it scared her. Kaname leaned down to Elizabeth's neck and gave it a long lick. Elizabeth cried out and tried to push him off but Kaname had her held down, pinning her wrists above her head.
"Do you realise the significance of being bitten to a vampire, Riji-chan? It's as sacred as having intercourse. When you are bitten, you are sharing your feeling through your blood. That's why you should only ever do it with the person you're in love with. When you drink from a love for the first time, a bond is created."
"A blood bond...I already have one with my master..." Elizabeth whispered.
"I'm your master now," he said sensually. He licked her neck again before sinking his fangs into her neck. Elizabeth whimpered softly.
One of the hands on her wrists sensually trailed down her arm and down to her waist. Kaname wrapped his arm around her slim waist.
Soon, finding himself too intoxicated to pull away, Kaname felt Elizabeth grow weaker in his arms. He found the strength to pull away and gazed at her through reddened eyes. Elizabeth's eyes were half lidded and her cheeks were red: an extremely alluring sight to Kaname.
He bit his wrist, taking in some blood into his mouth and lowered himself to her lips. He parted her lips with his tongue and let the blood trickle into her mouth. Kaname felt Elizabeth respond to him and she kissed him back. Elizabeth moved her hands to push Kaname's coat off him. Kaname broke the kiss to finish taking his coat off him and flung it somewhere in the corner. He picked Elizabeth up in his arms and placed her on the bed. Kaname climbed on top of her and reclaimed her lips. Elizabeth started to unbutton his shirt
After a few minutes, Kaname broke the kiss and took the time to gaze at the girl below him. Blood was smeared around her plump lips and her hair was messy from having Kaname run his hands through it. Dried blood was splattered around her neck.
Elizabeth reached up and caressed his cheek. She used her thumb to clear away a trickle of blood from his perfect lips. Kaname place his hand on hers and moved her hand to his lips. He kissed down her arm, making Elizabeth blush wildly. He kissed back up her arm until he reach her wrist. He gave it a slow lick, not breaking eye contact with the entranced Elizabeth and sank his fangs into her wrist. Elizabeth bit back a scream of both pain and pleasure. Kaname moaned at the taste of her blood. He didn't want to stop.
"Kaname..." Elizabeth whispered. Kaname removed his fangs and licked the wound until it healed. He leaned back down and rested his forehead against hers.
"I'm sorry," He whispered, "Even when I am trying to protect you, you still seem to hurt-" Elizabeth interrupted him with a finger to his lips.
"Sh, don't apologise...if you really want to make it up to me..." she leaned up to whisper into his ear, Take m-" she was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Riji-chan, are you all right," Kisetsu's voice floated through the door, "I smell blood."
"Yes, Kise-chan, go down stairs, we'll be with you in a moment."
"Well, as long as your all right..." they heard Kisetsu's footsteps go down stairs. Kaname turned back to Elizabeth.
"As much as I would like to do so, I wouldn't want to have you here."
"Why not?"
"Well, for the obvious reason being that someone could walk in on us and that would be awkward."
"Yeah..."
"Now, come on..." he kissed her cheek delicately, "Come back to school..." he whispered into her ear.
"Okay..." Elizabeth found herself powerless to resist him.
"Good girl..." Kaname caressed her cheek before sitting up and buttoning his shirt up. Elizabeth also sat up and and climbed off the bed. She picked up a brush and combed her hair. She then found Kaname's coat in the corner of the room. Elizabeth threw it at him.
"There you go," she said as she pulled on her blazer and tied the red ribbon that completed the look. After pulling on her boots, they both walked down stairs. Kuro jumped into her arms and Kisetsu eyed Kaname suspiciously.
"Are you all right, Riji-chan?"
"Of cause, Kise-chan," Elizabeth answered, "I'm going back to school."
"Okay...if you're sure..."
Elizabeth picked up her suitcase, said goodbye to her parents and left for school, feeling somewhat relieved that her own smile had returned.
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